BATMAN & ROBIN #14

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What's the bloody point of a living zombie? It's not like 'Aberfitch and Crombie'. A boutique that's chic. And just does not reek. Of dried jellied-meets and a donkey called swampy. Well, that's unless these very creative chap's arrive in situe! Writer: Peter J. Tomasi; Artists: Patrick Gleason and Tomas Giorello; plus Publisher: DC Comics in December 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Could you imagine what it must be like for Batman to have a son like Damien in this story entitled, 'Devoured'? Well, if it wasn't bad enough that the 'Clown Prince of Crime' could be lucking in the shadows. To make matters even worse, this little sod is captured by a group of rather hungry looking zombies as well!

• But don't fret though, dear reader. Robin is more than happy for this to happen to him. Because it allows him a way of finding the hooded master-mind behind this devilish dilemma.
• Moreover, it also gives Batman the opening he needs to do likewise by alternate means.
• Still, must be a rather shock for Batman, mustn't it? To find out that his son is a git, and that someone else is responsible for this sardonic scenario!

Now can you guess who it is? HahahahahHAHAHAHAH!

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

Now normally I try to put the most memorable sentence or conversation in this section, just to give you my overall impression of this issue. But I won't do that this time round, dear reader. No. I leave that for the 'worst thing ' part of my review. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to add Damien's witty one-liners, would I?

For example, I liked it when Damien sarcastically said to that hostage -- 'I read' -- in reference to his knowledge of Gotham's trains. Also, I thought it very funny when he replied to a hostage's exclamation of 'How can I ever thank you?', by saying -- 'you can thank me by shutting up and keep moving -- climb aboard'.

Ha! What a little sh*t he is, huh?    

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Personally speaking, I found the last couple of pages in this book -- AKA the Bruce / Damien 'Batcave resolution' -- to be its' most redeeming feature. For me, the tentative relationship between Bruce and his son is always a blast to follow. With the boy too stoic -- and the man too protective -- inadvertently making this new 'dynamic duo' more 'dysfunctional' than 'dynamic'.   

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

Up above I alluded to a piece of dialogue that I felt summed up this tale, yet did not want to mention it until I reached this section, because it is a f*cking annoying thing to say.

Yeah. No word of a lie. How many times can you read 'Eat To Live' before it starts to get on your nerves? Ten? Twenty? Fifty? Yeah. Sound's about right. I just did not see the point of this repetitive chant time and time again. As it didn't add anything to the overall tale, apart from having something to say if you ever get stuck on a deserted island.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Again, I'd have to say that the most creative thing about this tale was its resolution, and maybe the 'Joker twist' at the end of the main feature.

Both story elements were strange -- yet creative -- at the same time.

ART: There was a page in this book -- draw by Tomas Giorello -- which literally snapped by mind back to a Batman artist of old. The page in question is the deeply saturated red one with Batman talking to Robin within the Batmobile. And the artist in question is none other than Michael Golden -- the chap who illustrated the now classic 'Player on the Other Side'.

Now the main reason why I say this, dear reader, is because both of these artists know how to draw bold and earthy, whilst adding an artistic edge to their work, which can appear somewhat 'noir like' in tone.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

ZOMBIE: To keep in line with this month's comedy casting call, I'd have to choose Scottish stand-up, Billy Connolly, to play this un-dead dead person. Well, if you've been to Scotland, you'd know what I'm talking about, hint-hint!

HOSTAGE: Have you ever heard Gilbert Gottfried speak? If you have, then you'd know perfectly well why I would want this whinny-voiced-git to be somebody's hostage. Please.

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

Caring For A Child Is Very Difficult At Times. Especially If This Little Brat Wants To Play With Zombies!

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

OK, so basically this story is about a family getting involved with some politicians -- ermm -- I mean dead-people. So why not compare it to the film, 'From Duck Till Dawn' -- just without the tits or the gangsters in it.

Kind of works.

FINAL thoughts...

Dear People In Charge Of This Bat Book

Please help me. At the moment I'm not one hundred percent sure if I like this title or not. On the one hand I get a kick out of the family dynamic, and the whole 'evolution of a hero' thing it's trying to convey. Whilst, on the other hand, time and time again, I do find it rather irritating when these positive aspects keeps on being diluted by silly-silly sub-plots.

Why do you think that is, huh? Is it something to do with the conceit behind this book? Trying to amalgamate a personal tale within an adventurous tale? Moreover, why in this case doesn't this particular combination seem to work for me? Normally I like this sort of thing. But for some reason, not so this time round.

Please Advice.

Love, Light, and Peace -- The Reviewer.

MARKS out of 10? 8.5